A team at the University of Arkansas (UA) is leading a transformative $10 million initiative to address the state’s fragmented behavioral health crisis prevention and response system. Funded by the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS), the project will establish a central hub and seven regional pilot sites, aiming to provide a comprehensive, coordinated response to mental health emergencies across the state.
The effort is spearheaded by Johanna Thomas, PhD, LCSW, director of the UA School of Social Work, who brings more than a decade of experience implementing behavioral health programs across Arkansas and the U.S.
“Currently, Arkansas does not have a coordinated statewide system of crisis care to address behavioral health needs for children and adults to this extent,” Thomas said in a university announcement. “What we’re creating together begins with prevention and early intervention, and then focuses on crisis intervention and guidance to follow up with treatment available for those who need it.”
The need is urgent. In 2020, Arkansas ranked as the least healthy state in the nation when it comes to mental health services, according to DHS. Nearly one in five adults in the state reported frequent mental distress—significantly higher than the national average.
The crisis hub is a cornerstone of DHS’ “Roadmap to a Healthier Arkansas,” a multi-year strategy funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The Roadmap identifies major gaps in the behavioral health care continuum, particularly around early intervention, crisis response, and stabilization. The new response system was specifically designed to address these issues by connecting people to the right care at the right time—whether that means telehealth support, mobile response teams, or referral to community-based treatment facilities.
“Mental health and addiction are statewide issues—so our response has to be statewide too,” said Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders. “Through programs like the new crisis hub, we can address both adults’ and children’s needs early and often.”
The statewide model includes a 24/7 centralized call center, mobile crisis teams, and integration with local law enforcement, hospitals, and social services. Seven regional sites—in El Dorado, Monticello/Warren, Fort Smith, Fayetteville, Jonesboro, Helena, and Little Rock—will launch in phases beginning in late 2025. All are expected to be fully operational by mid-2026.
Thomas emphasized that each pilot site will reflect the unique resources and needs of its region.
“The model we create together will be flexible enough to capitalize on pre-existing networks and associations with the providers, like hospitals, who already make up the fabric of the area,” she said. “The shared vision is that the intensity, severity, and duration of behavioral crises experienced by individuals will be reduced, saving valuable resources for Arkansas while stabilizing our most vulnerable citizens.”
In addition to infrastructure and workforce planning, the UA-led team will oversee the awarding of subgrants and collaborate with DHS to implement the strategic plan. This includes a focus on populations with heightened needs—such as children, individuals with serious mental illness or substance use disorders, and pregnant or postpartum women.
The centralized hub will also support telehealth consultations, de-escalation training for crisis responders, and a data platform to track system capacity and outcomes. This closed-loop communication will help reduce emergency room visits and ensure people receive follow-up care after an acute episode.
Paula Stone, director of the DHS Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, underscored the importance of the collaboration.
“We are proud to partner with the University of Arkansas to develop a statewide coordinated crisis response system,” Stone said. “This work will address gaps in our system and ensure that services are available both to prevent situations from escalating to crisis level and to support Arkansans in need in times of crisis.”
The new hub is just one of more than 15 ARPA-funded pilots and initiatives outlined in the “Roadmap to a Healthier Arkansas,” which also includes projects for substance abuse recovery, family-centered mental health care, and supportive housing.
For Thomas and her team, the goal is not only system-wide reform but also lasting change.
